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History

In 1940, Appalachian Electric Cooperative borrowed money from the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the Rural Electrification Administration (REA). These funds were used to buy the existing electric facilities in the area. The original loans were paid back to the REA over a 35 year period, at low interest rates.This was the humble beginning of AEC.

The Tennessee Valley Authority furnishes electric energy to the Cooperative at wholesale rates. Approximately .80 cents of every dollar that the Cooperative takes in goes to the TVA for power. The Cooperative has a wholesale power contract with TVA which stipulates the rates that the power will be sold to its members.

Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives is a national network of electric cooperatives across 46 states that provides resources and leverages partnerships to help member cooperatives and their employees better engage and serve their members. By working together, Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives stand as a source of power and information to their 32 million member-owners every day.